U.S. patent application number 15/565279 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for pipe flange.
The applicant listed for this patent is Evaford One Pty. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Deuk Sung BAE.
Application Number | 20180066777 15/565279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57125469 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180066777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAE; Deuk Sung |
March 8, 2018 |
PIPE FLANGE
Abstract
A pipe flange (10) comprising: a circular flange plate (12)
having a central (hub 14) for attaching the flange plate (12) to an
end of a pipe (16), the hub (14) having a first annular portion
(18) with a first inside diameter adapted to closely receive the
outside diameter of the end of the pipe (16) therein. The pipe
flange (12) also comprises a second annular portion formed by an
annular lip (20) with a second inside diameter substantially equal
to or greater than the inside diameter of the end of the pipe
wherein, in use, a weld can be applied around the inside
circumference of the hub (14) between the annular lip (20) and the
end of the pipe.
Inventors: |
BAE; Deuk Sung; (Wannanup,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Evaford One Pty. Ltd. |
Wannanup, Western Australia |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
57125469 |
Appl. No.: |
15/565279 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 7, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2016/000119 |
371 Date: |
October 9, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 13/02 20130101;
F16L 23/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 23/026 20060101
F16L023/026; F16L 13/02 20060101 F16L013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2015 |
AU |
2015901385 |
Sep 7, 2015 |
AU |
2015903634 |
Claims
1. A pipe flange comprising: a circular flange plate having a
central hub for attaching the flange plate to an end of a pipe, the
hub having a first annular portion with a first inside diameter
adapted to closely receive the outside diameter of the end of the
pipe therein, and a second annular portion formed by an annular
step with a second inside diameter greater than the inside diameter
of the end of the pipe but less than the outside diameter of the
pipe wherein, in use, the end of the pipe abuts against an edge of
this annular step and a weld can be applied between an inside face
of the annular step and the end of the pipe.
2. A pipe flange as defined in claim 1, wherein an annular gap is
provided between the annular step and the end of the pipe to
accommodate the weld material.
3. A pipe flange as defined in claim 2, wherein the hub is provided
with a third annular portion formed by an annular lip having a
third inside diameter substantially equal to or greater than the
inside diameter of the end of the pipe.
4. A pipe flange as defined in claim 3, wherein the annular gap is
at least partly formed by shaping a wall of the annular lip facing
the end of the pipe.
5. A pipe flange as defined in claim 4, wherein the wall of the
annular lip facing the end of the pipe is bevelled to form an
annular face of increased surface area facing the end of the
pipe.
6. A pipe flange as defined in claim 4, wherein the annular gap is
also formed by spacing the end of the pipe from the annular
lip.
7. A pipe flange as defined in claim 1, wherein the second annular
portion extends to a front face of the flange plate.
8. A pipe flange as defined in claim 3, wherein the third annular
portion extends to a front face of the flange plate.
9. A pipe flange as defined in claim 8, wherein a surface of the
annular lip where it joins the front face of the flange plate is
radiused so that it forms a rounded or curved edge
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved pipe flange and
relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a slip-on
flange.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Pipe flanges are typically a plate or ring that forms a rim
at the end of a pipe for joining the pipe to another pipe or
fitting. The flange typically has a series of bolt holes provided
about its circumference to permit the pipe to be fastened at the
joint. A flange joint refers to the connection of two pipes end to
end, where the connecting pieces each have a flange by which the
end of the pipes are bolted together. Typically a rubber gasket is
provided between the faces of the adjoining flanges of a flange
joint. It is important that the faces of the adjoining flanges be
as smooth and flat as possible in order to ensure a proper seal at
the joint.
[0003] A slip-on flange is typically connected to the end of the
pipe by fillet welding around the circumference of the pipe where
it meets the flange on both the inside and outside circumferences.
On the inside circumference it is necessary to grind the weld back
to the same inside diameter as the pipe. It may also be necessary
to radius the inside edge of the welded region in order to provide
a smooth transition from the inside of the pipe to the face of the
flange, e.g. for rubber-lined pipes. The grinding and radiusing of
the welded region around the inside diameter is labour-intensive
and therefore expensive. It is also difficult to control the
quality of the finish, so that the finished product may not be
sufficiently smooth and/or flat.
[0004] Pipe flanges are manufactured in a variety of shapes and
sizes according to various international standards. In mineral
processing, oil and gas, chemical and water plants, steel pipe for
carrying slurry and/or fluids and/or chemicals may be rubber-lined
or ceramic-lined. With lined pipes it is important that the lining
material also extend over the welded region to prevent any weakness
or susceptibility to increased wear or corrosion in this
region.
[0005] The present invention was developed with a view to providing
a pipe flange that is easier to weld to the end of a pipe and that
enables a better finish to be achieved. Although the invention is
described with particular reference to a slip-on flange it will be
apparent that the invention may also be applicable to other types
of pipe flange, e.g. a lap joint flange.
[0006] References to prior art in this specification are provided
for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an
admission that such prior art is part of the common general
knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a pipe flange comprising:
a circular flange plate having a central hub for attaching the
flange plate to an end of a pipe, the hub having a first annular
portion with a first inside diameter adapted to closely receive the
outside diameter of the end of the pipe therein, and a second
annular portion formed by an annular lip with a second inside
diameter substantially equal to or greater than the inside diameter
of the end of the pipe wherein, in use, a weld can be applied
around an inside circumference of the hub between the annular lip
and the end of the pipe.
[0008] A primary advantage of this arrangement is that, if
necessary, the welded region on the inside circumference of the hub
can be more easily ground back to the inside diameter of the pipe
and the front face of the flange plate is unaffected.
[0009] Preferably an annular gap is provided between the annular
lip and the end of the pipe to accommodate the weld material.
Advantageously the annular gap is at least partly formed by shaping
a wall of the annular lip facing the end of the pipe. Preferably
the wall of the annular lip facing the end of the pipe is bevelled
to form an annular face of increased surface area facing the end of
the pipe.
[0010] Preferably the annular gap is also formed by spacing the end
of the pipe from the annular lip. Advantageously the hub is
provided with a third annular portion having a third inside
diameter smaller than the first diameter but larger than the second
diameter whereby, in use, the end of the pipe abuts against an edge
of this third annular portion so as to space the end of the pipe
from the annular lip.
[0011] Alternatively the annular gap between the annular lip and
the end of the pipe is formed by making the second inside diameter
greater than the inside diameter of the pipe but less than the
outside diameter of the pipe.
[0012] Preferably the second annular portion extends to a front
face of the flange plate. In one embodiment a surface of the
annular lip where it joins the front face of the flange plate is
radiused so that it forms a rounded or curved edge.
[0013] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires
otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other
integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or
variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a
stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential
to the working of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The nature of the invention will be better understood from
the following detailed description of several specific embodiments
of a pipe flange, given by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1(a) is section view through a first embodiment of a
pipe flange in accordance with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 1(b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 1 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0017] FIG. 2 (a) is a section view through the pipe flange of FIG.
1 (a) shown welded to a rubber-lined pipe;
[0018] FIG. 2 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 2 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0019] FIG. 2 (c) is a section view through a variation of the pipe
flange of FIG. 2 (a);
[0020] FIG. 2 (d) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 2 (c);
[0021] FIG. 3 (a) is section view through a second embodiment of a
pipe flange in accordance with the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 3 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0023] FIG. 4 (a) is a section view through the pipe flange of FIG.
3 (a) shown welded to a rubber-lined pipe;
[0024] FIG. 4 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 4 (b) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0025] FIG. 5 (a) is section view through a third embodiment of a
pipe flange in accordance with the invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 5 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0027] FIG. 6 (a) is a section view through the pipe flange of FIG.
5 (a) shown welded to a ceramic-lined pipe;
[0028] FIG. 6 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 6 (b) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0029] FIG. 7 (a) is section view through a fourth embodiment of a
pipe flange in accordance with the invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 7 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0031] FIG. 8 (a) is a section view through the pipe flange of FIG.
7 (a) shown welded to a ceramic-lined pipe;
[0032] FIG. 8 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 8 (b) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0033] FIG. 8 (c) is a section view through a variation of the pipe
flange of FIG. 8 (a);
[0034] FIG. 8 (d) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 8 (c);
[0035] FIG. 9 (a) is a section view through a fifth embodiment of a
pipe flange in accordance with the invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 9 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld;
[0037] FIG. 10 (a) is a section view through a sixth embodiment of
a pipe flange in accordance with the invention; and
[0038] FIG. 10 (b) is a detail section view of the pipe flange in
FIG. 10 (a) showing an end of a pipe in the region of the weld.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] A first embodiment of a pipe flange 10 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a
circular flange plate 12 having a central hub 14 for attaching the
flange plate 12 to the end of a pipe 16. The hub 14 has a first
annular portion 18 with a first inside diameter adapted to closely
receive the outside diameter of the end of the pipe 16 therein. A
second annular portion is formed by an annular lip 20, with a
second inside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter
of the end of the pipe 16. Preferably the second annular portion or
annular lip 20 extends to a front face of the flange plate 12. In
this embodiment a front edge 28 of the annular lip 20, where it
joins the front face of the flange plate 12, is radiused so that it
forms a rounded or curved edge, as can be seen most clearly in
FIGS. 1 (b) and 2 (b).
[0040] In use, a weld can be applied around the inside
circumference of the hub 14 between the annular lip 20 and the end
of the pipe 16. In this embodiment the weld is in the form of a
butt weld between a perpendicular face 22 of the annular lip 20
(see FIG. 1(b)) and the end of the pipe 16. A primary advantage of
this configuration of the pipe flange 10 is that, if necessary, any
weld material protruding from between the annular lip 20 and the
perpendicular face 22 on the inside circumference of the hub 14 can
be more easily ground back to the inside diameter of the pipe 16,
and the front face of the flange 12 remains unaffected. Hence when
a rubber lining 26 is applied to the inside of the pipe 16, as
shown in FIG. 2 (a) the welded region on the inside of the hub 14
is smooth and can be properly coated to protect the weld joint from
wear and/or corrosion. On the other hand the rounded edge 28 on
annular lip 20 provides a smooth surface at the transition from the
inside of the annular lip 20 (and pipe 16) to the front face of the
flange plate 12 (see FIG. 2 (b)).
[0041] Typically a second fillet weld is applied around the outside
circumference of the pipe 16 and the rear edge of hub 14 in weld
region 24 (see FIG. 1 (b)). In some circumstances, even though a
weld can be applied around the inside circumference of the hub 14,
between the annular lip 20 and the end of the pipe, it may not be.
In this case, a weld is only applied around the outside
circumference of the pipe 16 and the rear edge of hub 14 in weld
region 24.
[0042] FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d) illustrate a variation of the first
embodiment of the pipe flange 10 in which an annular gap 27 is
provided between the annular lip 20 and the end of the pipe 16 to
accommodate the weld material. The annular gap 27 is formed by
spacing the end of the pipe 16 from the annular lip 20 by a
predefined spacing. To this end, the hub 14 is provided with a
third annular portion or step 28 having a third inside diameter
smaller than the first inside diameter, but larger than the second
inside diameter whereby, in use, the end of the pipe 16 abuts
against an edge 29 of this third annular portion 28 so as to space
the end of the pipe 16 from the perpendicular face 22 of annular
lip 20. One advantage of the third annular portion or step 28 is
that the spacing of annular gap 27 remains constant, so that weld
material can be more readily applied to weld the end of the pipe 16
to the inside circumference of the hub 14 of the pipe flange
10.
[0043] A second embodiment of a pipe flange 30 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprises a
circular flange plate 32 having a central hub 34 for attaching the
flange plate 32 to the end of a pipe 16. The hub 34 has a first
annular portion 38 with a first inside diameter adapted to closely
receive the outside diameter of the end of the pipe 16 therein. A
second annular portion is formed by an annular lip 40, with a
second inside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter
of the end of the pipe 16. Preferably the second annular portion or
annular lip 40 extends to a front face of the flange plate 32. In
this embodiment a front edge 36 of the annular lip 40, where it
joins the front face of the flange plate 32, is also radiused so
that it forms a rounded or curved edge, as can be seen most clearly
in FIGS. 3 (b) and 4 (b).
[0044] In this embodiment an annular gap 42 is provided between the
annular lip 40 and the end of the pipe 16 to accommodate the weld
material 44 (see FIG. 4 (b)). Advantageously the annular gap 42 is
at least partly formed by shaping a wall 46 of the annular lip 40
facing the end of the pipe. Preferably the wall 46 of the annular
lip 40 facing the end of the pipe is bevelled to form an annular
bevelled face 46 of increased surface area facing the end of the
pipe. During welding with a butt weld received in the annular gap
42, the weld material 44 welds to the face 46, as well as to the
end of the pipe 16. Any weld material 44 protruding above the
inside surface of the pipe 16 can then be readily ground back to
the inside diameter of the pipe and the annular lip 40 to provide a
smooth finish.
[0045] In this embodiment, the annular gap 42 is also formed by
spacing the end of the pipe 16 from the annular lip 40 by a
predefined spacing. To this end, the hub 34 is provided with a
third annular portion 50 having a third inside diameter smaller
than the first inside diameter, but larger than the second inside
diameter whereby, in use, the end of the pipe 16 abuts against an
edge 48 of this third annular portion 50 so as to space the end of
the pipe 16 from the bevelled face 46 annular lip 40. The advantage
of the third annular portion 50 is that the spacing remains
constant for each pipe flange 30, and therefore the pipe 16 can be
cut a fixed length, as required, to allow for this. This spacing
provides an enlarged annular gap 42 within which a butt weld can be
readily applied to weld the end of the pipe 16 to the inside
circumference of the hub 34 of the pipe flange 30.
[0046] Typically a second fillet weld is applied to the outside
circumference of the pipe 16 and the hub 34 in weld region 52 (see
FIG. 4 (b)).
[0047] As with the previous embodiment, when a rubber lining 26 is
applied to the inside of the pipe 16, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the
welded region on the inside circumference at the join is smooth and
can be properly coated to protect the weld joint from wear and/or
corrosion. On the other hand the rounded edge 36 on annular lip 40
provides a smooth surface at the transition from the inside of the
annular lip 40 (and pipe 16) to the front face of the flange plate
32 (see FIG. 4 (b)).
[0048] A third embodiment of a pipe flange 60 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, is similar in many
respects to the second embodiment, described above with reference
to FIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore the same reference numerals will be
used to identify the like parts in the third embodiment, and these
will not be described again in detail. The main difference between
this embodiment of the pipe flange 60 and the previous embodiment
is that the front edge 62 the annular lip 40 is not radiused, but
is simply kept as a right angle edge. The reason the front edge 62
is kept at a right angle is because in this instance the inside
surface of the pipe 16 and hub 34 is lined with a ceramic lining 64
(see FIG. 6 (a)).
[0049] As with the second embodiment, an annular gap 42 is provided
between the annular lip 40 and the end of the pipe 16 to
accommodate the weld material 44 (see FIG. 6 (b)). The annular gap
42 is partly formed by bevelled face 46 of the annular lip 40
facing the end of the pipe 16, and partly formed by spacing the end
of the pipe 16 from the annular lip 40 by a predefined spacing. To
this end, the hub 34 is provided with a third annular portion 50,
similar to the second embodiment of the pipe flange 30.
[0050] A fourth embodiment of a pipe flange 80 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, is similar in many
respects to the first embodiment, described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore the same reference numerals will be used
to identify the like parts in the fourth embodiment, and these will
not be described again in detail. The main difference between this
embodiment of the pipe flange 80 and the first embodiment is that
the front edge 82 the annular lip 20 is not radiused, but is simply
kept as a right angle edge. The reason the front edge 82 is kept at
a right angle is because in this instance also the inside surface
of the pipe 16 and hub 14 is lined with a ceramic lining 84 (see
FIG. 8 (a)).
[0051] As with the first embodiment, a weld in the form of a butt
weld is applied between a perpendicular face 22 of the annular lip
20 and the end of the pipe 16 (see FIGS. 7 (b) and 8 (b)).
[0052] FIGS. 8(c) and 8(d) illustrate a variation of the fourth
embodiment of the pipe flange 80 in which an annular gap 86 is
provided between the annular lip 20 and the end of the pipe 16 to
accommodate the weld material. The annular gap 86 is formed by
spacing the end of the pipe 16 from the annular lip 20 by a
predefined spacing. To this end, the hub 14 is provided with a
third annular portion or step 88 having a third inside diameter
smaller than the first inside diameter, but larger than the second
inside diameter whereby, in use, the end of the pipe 16 abuts
against an edge 89 of this third annular portion 88 so as to space
the end of the pipe 16 from the perpendicular face 22 of annular
lip 20.
[0053] A fifth embodiment of a pipe flange 90 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is similar in many
respects to the fourth embodiment, described above with reference
to FIGS. 7 and 8. Therefore the same reference numerals will be
used to identify the like parts in the fifth embodiment, and these
will not be described again in detail. The main difference between
this embodiment of the pipe flange 90 and the fourth embodiment is
that the annular lip 20 has an inside diameter which is greater
than the inside diameter of the pipe 16, but less than the outside
diameter of the pipe 16. The effect of increasing the inside
diameter of the annular lip 20 is to expose an end face 94 of the
pipe 16 so as to form an annular gap between this end face 94 of
the pipe and an inside face 92 of the annular lip 20. A fillet weld
can be readily applied to the end face 94 of the pipe 16 to weld
the end of the pipe 16 to the inside face 92 of the annular lip 20
(see FIG. 10(b)). A second weld is typically also applied around
the outside circumference of the pipe 16 adjacent to the rear edge
of the hub 14 in the weld region marked 96 in FIG. 9(b) (see FIG.
10(b)).
[0054] Another difference between this embodiment of the pipe
flange 90 and the fourth embodiment is the provision of a raised
annulus 98 on the front face of the pipe flange, as can be seen
most clearly in FIG. 9 (b). The raised annulus 98 is provided to
support a gasket (not shown), when the flange plate 90 is bolted to
another flange plate. The provision of the raised annulus 98 on the
front face of the pipe flange 90 is for illustrative purposes only.
The same kind of raised annulus may be provided on the front face
of any of the other embodiments of the pipe flange described
herein.
[0055] A sixth embodiment of a pipe flange 100 in accordance with
the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is similar in many
respects to the fifth embodiment, described above with reference to
FIG. 9. Therefore the same reference numerals will be used to
identify the like parts in the sixth embodiment, and these will not
be described again in detail. The main difference between this
embodiment of the pipe flange 100 and the fifth embodiment is that
the central hub 104 of the flange plate 102 does not have an
annular portion that protrudes rearward of the flange plate, as in
the previous embodiments. Hence a rear face of the flange plate 102
is substantially coplanar with a rear face of the hub 104. In other
respects the pipe flange 100 of this embodiment is substantially
identical to the flange plate 90 of FIG. 9. A fillet weld 99 is
preferably applied to the end face 94 of the pipe 16 to weld the
end of the pipe 16 to the inside face 92 of the annular lip 20, and
a second weld 99 is typically applied around the outside
circumference of the pipe 16 adjacent to the rear edge of the hub
104.
[0056] The present invention is applicable to slip-on flanges of
all sizes, but is typically applicable to flanges for pipes having
an inside diameter of 2 inches or larger.
[0057] Now that several embodiments of the pipe flange have been
described in detail, it will be apparent that the described
embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art,
including the following: [0058] (i) There is a significantly
reduced amount of work required to fit and weld the flange to the
end of the pipe, and to subsequently grind the weld material back
to the inside diameter of the pipe. [0059] (ii) The quality of the
surface on the inside circumference of the pipe and hub at the join
can be better controlled to provide a smooth finish for both rubber
and ceramic lined pipes. [0060] (iii) There is no need to radius
the front edge of the weld material where it joins the pipe to the
hub, as in the prior art, and the radiused front edge of the
annular lip provides a smooth transition to the front face of the
flange plate. [0061] (iv) The improved surface finish and smooth,
flat surfaces provide better integrity of any seal between the
front face of the flange plate and an adjoining surface. [0062] (v)
Improved life expectancy of the pipe at the flange joint reduces
maintenance costs and down times.
[0063] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be
made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already
described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of
the present invention. For example, the surface on the annular lip
facing the end of the pipe may be of any suitable shape and is not
limited to the bevelled surface of the illustrated embodiments.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments described.
* * * * *